His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued an Emiri Decree regarding the establishment and organisation of the Sharjah Family and Community Council.
The decree stipulates the creation of a council concerned with family and community affairs in the Emirate, named the "Sharjah Family and Community Council". The council shall possess legal personality and the necessary legal capacity to achieve its objectives and exercise its competences. Its primary aim is to assist the Ruler in organising family and community affairs. The decree states that Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi will chair the council. She will be assisted in supervising the council’s work by the Executive Office under her authority. The Chairperson holds all powers necessary to manage the council, including approving its general policy, regulations, and financial resources.
According to the decree, the council’s official English name is “Sharjah Family and Community Council,” with its main headquarters located in Sharjah city. The Chairperson may, by decision, establish branches or offices in other cities or regions of the Emirate.
The council aims to nurture, develop, and empower the family and community, focus on women and children, and promote national identity across all fields. It will work towards these goals by preparing public policies and strategic plans related to family, women, children, youth, culture, crafts, hospitality, media, and community initiatives. Additionally, it will coordinate the efforts of affiliated entities and community institutions to ensure integration between them.
The council will support and fund humanitarian, developmental, and community initiatives locally, regionally, and globally, protecting the rights of children and vulnerable families and improving their lives. It will raise awareness about the importance of child safety and protection, ensuring their social, educational, psychological, and physical stability.
Moreover, the council will promote family stability and cohesion by providing a supportive environment for balanced development. It will work to develop and enhance the role of women in sports, fostering a new generation of female sports leaders. It will also support and empower women economically and socially.
The council seeks to discover and nurture the skills and talents of children, adolescents, and youth, fostering their abilities and talents to enable active participation in the emirate’s future.
The decree identifies the council’s affiliated entities as follows: Government bodies including the Sharjah Family Development, Nama Women Advancement Establishment, Sharjah Women Sports, Sharjah Business Women Council, Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, Child Safety, Rubu’ Qarn Foundation, Big Heart Foundation, Sharjah Hospitality Group, the Cultural Office, the Media Bureau, and initiatives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi.
The Chairperson may add, merge, or cancel any affiliated entity by decision.
The council established by this decree replaces the former Supreme Council for Family Affairs in the Emirate. All rights, assets, and obligations of the Supreme Council are transferred to the new council. Administrative restructuring of departments, centres, or associations affiliated with the council will be undertaken, with decisions issued by the Chairperson.
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, affirmed that the council’s establishment follows a comprehensive and integrated study of the wise leadership’s aspirations, represented by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, and responds to life’s changes that require deeper focus on individual development and enhancing their role within family and community frameworks.
She added that the council will encompass a group of government institutions concerned with families and their members, aiming to develop their intellectual and physical skills and protect them from influences that negatively affect their creed, culture, and national identity.
Her Highness emphasised that investing in human development continues according to the approach set by the Ruler of Sharjah. This journey began with a single idea four decades ago with the establishment of the girls’ park, progressing to the creation of various family-oriented institutions that nurture young talents and leaders. Today, every household in Sharjah includes either an artist, creator, leader, writer, media professional, or athlete.
The services provided extend beyond the family to the wider community under the motto “An aware family, a cohesive society.” The council will serve as the umbrella to enhance integration and coordinate efforts in serving families and society.
Her Highness touched on the specialisation of the Sharjah Hospitality Group, highlighting that it includes leading institutions with accumulated expertise in the hospitality sector. This offers promising opportunities for investment expansion that benefits the community. She confirmed that investment in hospitality serves the community by returning part of the revenues to community welfare, supporting and funding humanitarian, developmental, and community initiatives, and pursuing sustainable development to build a more prosperous and comfortable future for all, positioning Sharjah on the global map and attracting suitable investments.
Regarding the vision for the coming phase, Her Highness explained that Sharjah’s youth represent the upcoming hope. She expressed strong confidence in their ability to drive development in all aspects and to create aware, positively influential leaders dedicated to serving the community.
She emphasised living in a fast-changing era and the need for flexibility and adaptation in planning to benefit society and its members. Her Highness confirmed that Sharjah today is reaping the fruits of decades of investment in institutional maturity and positive outcomes, which will continue to fuel greater contributions for the Emirate’s prosperity.
Establishment and organisation of the Sharjah Family Development
His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued an Emiri Decree regarding the establishment and organisation of the Sharjah Family Development.
The decree stipulates the establishment of an institution in the Emirate under the name “Sharjah Family Development”. The Foundation shall possess legal personality and the legal capacity necessary to achieve its objectives and carry out its functions. It shall operate under the supervision of, and be affiliated with, the Sharjah Family and Community Council.
The Foundation's official English name shall be “Sharjah Family Development,” and its headquarters shall be located in the city of Sharjah. The Chairperson may, by decision, establish branches or offices in other cities and regions of the Emirate.
According to the decree, the Foundation shall be chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi. The Chairperson shall issue decisions to appoint whomever she deems suitable to assist her in managing the Foundation and supervising its affiliated bodies.
The Foundation aims to enhance social cohesion by strengthening family bonds, elevating the role and status of the family, and ensuring its stability. It seeks to uplift families in the Emirate by empowering individual family members to effectively fulfil their roles and achieve personal and social security and functionality within the community. The Foundation works to activate the role of families in line with modern-day developments, equipping them to face social challenges, and improving their overall well-being.
It also serves family-related issues by studying the challenges facing family members and proposing appropriate solutions, all to raise the level of community development in the Emirate. Additionally, it promotes the role of advanced cultural and media tools in educating families and society and proposes legislation that supports the development of policies related to family affairs.
In order to achieve its goals, the Foundation shall have the authority to prepare general policies and strategic plans related to family affairs; serve family issues and address their challenges by putting in place plans that enable sustainable family development; raise family awareness among community members by reinforcing social knowledge and values and enabling social integration; and launch initiatives, programmes, activities, projects, and workshops that strengthen the role and status of the family while empowering its members.
The Foundation shall also work to expand community participation, create national mechanisms and platforms for family-focused collaboration, exchange information and experiences, coordinate joint efforts, and encourage volunteer work in this field to achieve qualitative integration. It may also consult experts, advisers, and specialised institutions in all matters related to its work and may seek administrative and technical support from relevant authorities, and collaborate with other entities on matters within its objectives and competences.
Moreover, the Foundation is authorised to propose, monitor, and amend legislation, laws, and regulations related to family affairs; conduct studies and research on family matters, analyse trends and challenges, and develop suitable plans and solutions; enter into contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, and partnerships upon approval by the Chairperson; and strengthen cooperation with bodies concerned with family affairs at the local, regional, and international levels. It may also participate in relevant conferences and meetings locally, regionally, and internationally, and follow up on their recommendations to ensure a unified strategic vision and stance.
The Foundation shall also undertake any other responsibilities assigned to it by the Ruler or the Chairperson.
The Foundation’s financial resources shall consist of government allocations, self-generated revenues resulting from its operations and competences, and any other resources approved by the Chairperson.
Establishment and organisation of the Child Safety
His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued an Emiri Decree regarding the establishment and organisation of the Child Safety in the Emirate of Sharjah.
According to the decree, a social institution shall be established in the Emirate under the name “Child Safety” which shall enjoy legal personality and full legal capacity to undertake all necessary legal actions to fulfil its objectives and exercise its powers. The Foundation shall be affiliated with the Sharjah Family and Community Council and shall operate under its supervision.
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi shall chair the Foundation. The Chairperson shall issue decisions to appoint whomever she deems fit to assist in managing the Foundation and overseeing its affiliated entities.
The decree confirms the official English name of the Foundation as "Child Safety". Its headquarters shall be located in the city of Sharjah, and the Chairperson may, by decision, establish branches or offices in other cities and regions of the Emirate.
The Foundation aims to enhance Sharjah’s position as a leading destination in child protection by coordinating with the relevant authorities. It works to raise awareness of the importance of child safety and protection, promote children’s social and psychological stability to build a community where children enjoy mental health and physical safety, strengthen institutional partnerships at both local and international levels related to the Foundation’s mission, and uphold the rights of children to be heard, feel safe and secure, and expand the resources available to protect them from harm and physical and sexual abuse while seeking justice on their behalf.
To achieve its objectives, the Foundation shall have the authority to prepare policies, strategic plans, and programmes related to child safety; submit recommendations to relevant authorities regarding regulations and legislation related to child protection practices; provide an administratively and technically equipped work environment for children who are victims of violence and abuse to receive legal, social, psychological, and medical services in an integrated manner from competent authorities in the Emirate; coordinate with authorities in Sharjah concerning child-related cases referred to the Kanaf Child Centre, ensuring proper treatment and follow-up to support recovery and reintegration into a safe family environment.
The Foundation shall also be responsible for training and empowering multidisciplinary teams through ongoing training and educational opportunities to ensure the provision of specialised trauma recovery and support services for children and their families based on best practices. It will organise regular awareness and training workshops on child safety and protection in line with global standards, targeting professionals, caregivers, and parents. Furthermore, the Foundation shall host international experts in child protection to review best practices and contribute to the development of local procedures.
It may also enter into relevant agreements, memoranda of understanding, and partnerships related to child safety. The Foundation is permitted to seek administrative and technical support from specialised entities within the Emirate and to engage experts, specialists, and volunteers to support its operations. The Foundation shall also undertake any additional responsibilities assigned by the Ruler or the Chairperson.
The decree also stipulates the establishment of a social centre named "Kanaf Child Centre," which shall be affiliated with and operate under the supervision of the Foundation. The centre’s purpose is to provide legal, psychological, and social support to children who are victims of violence and abuse, all within one integrated facility. It will also conduct forensic medical examinations to document cases of abuse. A decision issued by the Foundation’s Director shall define the centre’s organisation and responsibilities.
The Foundation’s financial resources shall consist of government allocations, self-generated revenues resulting from its official duties, proceeds from investment of the Foundation’s funds, sponsorships aligned with the Foundation’s activities, and any other resources approved by the Chairperson. These financial resources may only be used for the purposes specified, and solely with the approval of the Chairperson.
Establishment of the Sharjah Hospitality Group
His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued an Emiri Decree regarding the establishment of the Sharjah Hospitality Group.
According to the Decree, a government institution named “Sharjah Hospitality Group” shall be established in the Emirate. The Group shall be an independent government entity affiliated with the Sharjah Family and Community Council. It shall enjoy legal personality and the legal capacity necessary to achieve its objectives and exercise its competencies.
The institution shall be officially known in English as “Sharjah Hospitality Group.” Its headquarters shall be located in the city of Sharjah, with the possibility—by decision of the Chairperson—of establishing branches or offices in other cities and regions of the Emirate.
In accordance with the Decree, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi shall preside over the institution. The Chairperson shall issue decisions to appoint those deemed suitable to assist in managing the Group and overseeing its affiliated entities.
The Decree stipulates that the Chairperson shall have the authority to establish, merge, or dissolve any entity affiliated with the Group. The Chairperson may also form or dissolve any committees or councils associated with the Group. Additionally, the Chairperson shall approve the budgets of the Group and its affiliated entities and may delegate any of their powers or responsibilities to senior staff within the Group, in accordance with applicable legislation. The Chairperson is also authorised to establish, introduce, or amend administrative positions and organisational structures of the Group and its affiliated entities.
The Group shall undertake the responsibility of developing public policies for hospitality services with the aim of growing and advancing the Group. It shall also set strategic plans and standards for the Group’s activities and those of its affiliated entities. The Group is further tasked with issuing internal regulations and systems governing the work of the Group and its entities. It shall oversee the management and operation of its facilities and establishments in line with best professional practices and both local and international standards.
In addition, the Group will implement programmes, initiatives, and projects related to hospitality and wellbeing. It shall organise contracting procedures and enhance partnerships with public and private sector entities both within and outside the Emirate. The Group will monitor performance levels and ensure the quality of services provided through periodic evaluation tools and by implementing mechanisms for oversight and continuous improvement. It will also train and develop specialised human resources in the field of hospitality, enhancing their skills in coordination with the competent authorities. Lastly, the Group shall undertake any other competencies assigned by the Chairperson.
According to the Decree, the Group shall supervise and operate under its umbrella the Sharjah Ladies Club and its branches, as well as Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre. It may also include any other projects, establishments, or entities related to hospitality, wellbeing, or hospitality services that are added to the Group by a decision from the Chairperson.
The financial resources of the Group shall consist of government allocations, revenues generated from the activities of affiliated entities, and income derived from the investment of the Group’s funds. Additional sources may include sponsorships and partnerships, as well as any other resources approved by the Chairperson that align with the objectives and activities of the Group.
All funds shall be deposited in banks approved by the Chairperson and may not be used for any purpose other than those for which they are allocated, in accordance with the provisions of this Decree and applicable legislation, or with the prior approval of the Chairperson.